
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990                   TAG: 9003143030
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COMPETITION FOR NEW INDUSTRY HURTS LOCALITIES

WE MOVED to Roanoke in 1955 after living and working in several metropolitan areas. To our delight, we found both the natural beauty of the environment and the graciousness of the people just what we desired. I advised my employer that I would not take another transfer, as this is where I wanted to raise my family.

Our two sons graduated from Jefferson High School, and both have been very successful in their business and family life. We have six grandchildren. Four live here and two in the Midwest, and all are doing very well.

So I find it hard to accept the inability of the city schools to meet the standard of the county schools. For the most part, what you put into education is what you get out of it. The city is faced with a larger portion of underprivileged children or single-parent families, so the task is more formidable.

Living in the county is nice, and I am deeply grateful for our volunteer fire department. But I would much prefer a city department that has a response time of half that of the county. The present fiasco in our law enforcement in the county clearly points to the fact that a popularity contest at election time is no way to get a proper professional man in charge of so vital a department. My mistake, I also voted for him.

Several years ago I recall the county blocked the city when they planned a water reservoir in the Back Creek area. Now the county is engaged in a far more expensive option for which additional expenses will be paid for in taxes.

The competition between the city and county to attract business development has become very expensive to both. This has led to improper rezoning of neighborhoods, to the distress of the residents involved. With consolidation, commercial development would be located in the most desirable locations for all concerned, while the tax revenue would be to our mutual benefit.

One question: If the county government is so efficient and the school system so good, why did Salem elect to pull out?\ GEORGE H. HENNING\ ROANOKE

by CNB